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August 28, 2010

Two dozen rafters were thrown into a wild alpine river after their rafts capsized in western Austria on Saturday, but all were found after an intense rescue effort reports the Associated Press.

Tens of rescuers with helicopters and boats scoured the Bregenzerach River in Austria's western province of Vorarlberg for over three hours after police reported that ten rafters were still missing after the accident.

Red Cross spokesman Michael Osti said 12 rafters had to be rescued after being stranded on the river's banks.

A group of 74 rafters began their river adventure on a total of five boats around noon. The turbulent, high waters capsized some rafts throwing more than two dozen people overboard, but 15 were rescued immediately, police spokesman Egon Voegel told national broadcaster ORF.

Eight of the people pulled from the river were hospitalized, fire brigade spokesman Werner Blum told ORF. Others were treated for minor injuries.

The recent months of heavy rains in eastern Europe have raised the danger of rafting, one of the area's most popular tourist activities.

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